Chapter 9 - The First Quiet Night
Back at the Hamptons estate, midnight arrived without a single sound of terror.
The antique clock in the upstairs corridor struck three.
No screams. No frantic calls for help. No buzzing monsters in the dark.
Lily and Rose slept soundly side by side under their white cashmere blanket, hugging a new, plain cotton rabbit that Veronica had bought them.
Veronica stood by the nursery window, looking out at the calm, moonlit ocean. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the clean scent of salt and pine.
“They haven't woken up once in three days,” a deep, familiar voice murmured from the doorway.
Veronica turned to see Rory standing there. He had removed his suit jacket, his shirt collar open, looking more like a tired father than a feared mafia lord.
“Neurologically, the ultrasonic trauma is completely out of their system,” Veronica smiled softly. “Children are resilient, Mr. Starks. They just need to know the people protecting them are strong enough to keep the dark away.”
Rory walked slowly across the nursery floor until he stood just inches from her. The dim amber nightlight cast a warm glow over his rugged features.
“You called me Mr. Starks,” he noted quietly.
“Force of habit,” Veronica replied, her heart doing a familiar, fluttering dance against her ribs.
Rory reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers brushed against her cheek, lingering there, warm and electric.
“The Moretti threat is over,” Rory said, his voice dropping into a soft, intimate register. “Marcus is gone. My empire is secure. But more importantly... my home is safe again.”
“I’m glad,” Veronica whispered, looking up into his stormy eyes.
“When I hired you as a maid, I thought you were just another temporary face in a revolving door of domestic staff,” Rory confessed, his gaze intense and unflinching. “I was wrong. You are the strongest, smartest, bravest woman I have ever met.”
Veronica’s breath hitched. “Rory...”
“Don't go back to the staff quarters tonight,” Rory whispered, taking her hand and interlacing his fingers with hers. “Or ever again. Stay with us. Not as staff. As my partner. As the mother my daughters have been missing.”
Veronica looked into his eyes, seeing no darkness, no danger, only a profound, desperate devotion that belonged entirely to her.
May you like
She smiled, a radiant, beautiful smile that melted the final walls around his heart.
“I thought you’d never ask,” she whispered.
